UAFS (26-18) earned a season split against its Heartland Conference rival with the win, while OC (22-22) dropped its fourth straight baseball game.

Cory Eastwood went 3-for-3 for the Eagles, but only one other OC player – Caleb Price – managed a hit against the UAFS pitching duo of Duerr (2-2) and Hammer.

The Lions never trailed, taking a 3-0 lead in the second inning, with two runs scoring on a single by Gordon Miller. UAFS made it 4-0 in the third, chasing OC starter Brock Werdel (3-4).

OC pulled within 4-2 in the top of the fourth, scoring both runs without the aid of a hit. But the Lions responded with seven runs in the bottom of the inning off OC relievers Tyler Schuman and Kacy Cook. UAFS added six more runs in the sixth against Cook and Ryan Nash.

Ben Smith went 2-for-2 with three RBIs and two runs scored for UAFS, while Miller also had three RBIs.

The Eagles will play another Heartland Conference foe on Wednesday, traveling across Oklahoma to take on Oklahoma Panhandle State in Goodwell. OC is scheduled to host a third Heartland team, Newman (Kan.), on Thursday.